Regina Airport ready for busiest day of the year

Frank Sinatra once sang “I’ll be home for Christmas”, and travellers are hoping to live by those words as the holiday nears.

The Regina International Airport is getting set for its busiest day of the year on Dec. 23.

Airport CEO Richmond Graham explained the airport is expecting to get around 7,000 passengers Friday. The airport is also expecting to surpass the 1.25 million passenger mark for 2016 on Friday.

“Christmas Eve and Christmas Day tend to be slower than the other days and that’s too be expected,” Graham said. “We expect that most people at home enjoying time with friends and family, and then it picks up again right after Christmas.”

Graham added they expect to be busier this year because they have higher passenger numbers than 2015, and because of a wide variety of sun destinations.

He said planning is important when travelling and it is important travellers have all the necessary documentation needed for travel. He also suggested people arrive early and don’t bring wrapped gifts with them.

“The screeners may have to unwrap them in your checked bags or when you’re going through pre-board screening,” Graham stated. ”If you’ve got electronic equipment, especially if it’s been modified in anyway, declare that to the screeners in advance of going through the x-ray machine.”

Graham said people should still be able to find tickets from an airline if they decide to head home for Christmas.

The airport will be putting on holiday performances with singers and dancers and there will also be therapy dogs.